CACFP Updates for 4/18/2018: USDA Memos; Webinars; Grain-based Desserts (belVita); Grain List; CACFP Conference; Excel Food Production Record

 FY 2018 Bureau Notes - April 18, 2018

Bureau updates will be posted here. This may take a few days.

 

USDA News

New CACFP Memos
Click here for full text of all memos.

Grain Requirements in the CACFP; Q&A
CACFP 09-2018 (supersedes CACFP 01-2018)
Issued April 4, 2018

This memo explains rules to identify creditable and whole-grain rich items and includes an updated Q&A section. The memo includes six options for identifying whole grain-rich products, provides clarification for products labeled whole wheat and lists ingredients that can be disregarded.

Methods to identify whole grain-rich foods:
1. Included on a State Agency WIC-approve whole grain food list.
2. Labeled as “Whole wheat” and has a Standard of Identity issued by the FDA. A comprehensive list of approved breads and pastas is included. Any product not listed must be evaluated using one of the other methods.
3. Includes one of two FDA health claims.
4. Meets the whole grain-rich criteria under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) with the exception of grain-based desserts (not creditable in CACFP).
5. Meets the "Rule of Three":

• First ingredient must be whole grain and the next two grain ingredients (if any) must be whole grains, enriched grains, bran, or germ. Grain derivatives (by-products of grains) and non-creditable grains listed as 2% or less may be disregarded.
• Mixed dishes (pizza crust, burritos, etc): the first grain ingredient must be whole grain and the second two grains (if any) must be whole grains, enriched grains, bran, or germ.
• Ready-to-eat Breakfast Cereals: if the first ingredient is a whole grain and the cereal is fortified.
• The memo includes a list of approved whole grains, brans and germs, enriched grains, disregarded ingredients, and non-creditable grains or flours.

6. Proper documentation from a manufacturer or a standardized recipe that demonstrates whole grains are the primary grain ingredient by weight.

Click here for the updated "Identifying Whole Grain-Rich" publication from the National CACFP Association (NCA).

Conducting Five-Day Reconciliations in the CACFP; Q&A
CACFP 10-2018 (supersedes CACFP 24-2016)
Issued April 4, 2018

The memo clarifies the purpose and procedures for conducting five-day reconciliations during sponsor monitoring reviews and recognizes the role of technology in streamlining data. Organizations may now use the total number of participants enrolled, in attendance, counted for meals for a five-day period using aggregate rather than individual data. Attendance should not exceed enrollment, and meal counts should not exceed attendance. Meals do not have to be disallowed if there is a reasonable explanation for inconsistency. Iowa forms have not been updated and it is still acceptable to evaluate the information for individual children. If aggregate data is used, the reconciliation must be documented on a separate, dated record and be kept on file with the monitoring review documentation. Five-Day reconciliations are optional for independent centers. When enrollment forms are not required (i.e., outside-school-hours care centers, At-Risk Afterschool, and Emergency Shelters) total attendance and meals counts are compared.

Providing Child Nutrition Program Benefits to Disaster Survivor Evacuees
CACFP 05-2018
Issued January 19,2018
In light of recent natural disasters USDA released a memo outlining the options available to reach affected children.

Market Basket Analysis when Procuring Program Goods and Modifying Contracted-For Product Lists; Q&A
CACFP 04-2018
Issued January 17, 2018
This memo explains the process of making comparisons to identify the lowest price vendor for a representative sampling of items to comply with Federal procurement standards.

Donated Food Storage, Distribution, and Product Dating (Revised)
FD-107
November 21, 2017
This memo seeks to clarify information about food expiration dates since they are not federally regulated, and provide guidance to effectively manage storage and inventory.

Webinar Recording: Food Buying Guide Goes Digital!
Click here to view the webinar recorded on February 6, 2018. The training includes an interactive demonstration of the new Food Buying Guide Mobile App and the Interactive Web Tool.

Thirty on Thursday Webinar Series
Click here to register
English (1 to 1:30 PM CST)
Spanish (2 to 2:30 PM CST)

Upcoming Webinars
◾April 19, 2018: Offer Versus Serve in the CACFP
◾May 17, 2018: Methods for Healthy Cooking
◾June 21, 2018: Adding Whole Grains to Your Menu
◾July 19, 2018: Feeding Infants: 0-5 months
◾August 16, 2018: How to Support Breastfeeding in the CACFP
◾September 20, 2018: Feeding Infants: Starting with Solids

Click here to view recorded webinars and request a certificate
◾October 19, 2017: Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars webinar [English] [Spanish]
◾November 16, 2017: Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Added Sugars webinar [English] [Spanish]
◾January 18, 2018: Serving Milk in the CACFP [English] [Spanish]
◾February 15, 2018: Meal Planning for the CACFP [English] [Spanish]
◾March 15, 2018: Serving Meat and Meat Alternates at Breakfast [English] [Spanish]

NOTE: you must take a quiz and enter your information to receive a certificate.

 

Bureau of Nutrition News

Grain-Based Desserts
As of October 1, 2017, grain-based desserts are no longer creditable. Click here for USDAs training sheet "Grain-Based Desserts in the CACFP". If it is unclear whether an item is a grain-based dessert, State agencies are responsible for making a determination. The Bureau of Nutrition and Health has determined that BelVita Breakfast Biscuits (not sandwiches) are not a grain-based dessert and therefore creditable. There are many different varieties; many of them are whole-grain-rich as well (always read the ingredient label). Click here to see products (click on the product to find ingredient and Nutrition Fact labels.)

Grain List
A list of creditable and non-creditable grains (including whole grains), plus those that can be disregarded has been developed to assist with crediting grain items and determining if they are whole grain-rich.
CACFPMP32 CACFP - Grain List is coming soon to IowaCNP Download Forms.

New Excel Menu and Food Production Record Tool! 
This time-saving Excel Spreadsheet has been updated with the new meal pattern and allows you to enter your menu on one tab, and the food production records (FPR) and a grocery list fill in automatically on other tabs. You just need to enter information from the Food Buying Guide, your reference age group, planned serving sizes and estimated number to be served on each day of the FPR. The workbook does the rest!

• Now available on IowaCNP Download Forms: CACFPMP30 Ctr - Excel Food Production Record and Grocery List (Long Form)
• CACFMP31 Ctr - Excel Food Production Record and Grocery List EXAMPLE (coming soon)
• Instructional video on Iowa CACFP Steps to Success Online training Module 3, Lesson 6 (coming soon)

CACFP Conference
Due to cancellations, the registration deadline has been extended to April 20. Click here to register (you must register for each day you plan to attend). There is no charge to attend.

The agenda features topics on the new meal pattern, infant feeding, and creating a healthy mealtime environment. USDA regional office nutritionists and the DMACC child care chef will be among the guest speakers. Attendance is strongly recommended but not required. Come sample USDA recipes on both days, get the latest CACFP resources, and network with your colleagues from around the State.

April 24: Pre-Conference - CACFP Basics
For new center directors and other interested staff. April 24, 1-4 pm, Grimes State Office Building, Room B-100.
Location: Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 East 14th St, Room B100, Des Moines, IA (Parking across the street in lot 16)

April 25-26, 2018 - Leading the Way – Healthy Habits for a New Generation
For CACFP center and home sponsor staff. Location: Hope Lutheran Church, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA

Questions: contact Janelle.Loney@iowa.gov (515)281-5356. If you cannot attend after registering, contact Janelle by April 20 to adjust the food order. If you send a substitute, provide their name so we can have a certificate ready.

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Robin Holz, MS, RDN
CACFP Lead Consultant, Centers
Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services
400 E 14th St
Des Moines 50319
Phone: 515-281-3484
Fax: 515-242-5988
Iowa Department of Education Website